“Since the day I met D-Wade in 2008, I knew from that moment I was dealing with a special guy,” Fizdale said in a video tribute. “As a competitor, you know, he was second to none. It didn’t matter who we were playing against, he always wanted to go up against the best. It didn’t matter. He loved the challenge of going after the throne and I didn’t want to go into the trench with anybody else but him. I knew that no matter who we played against from a night to night basis we had a chance to win because Dwyane Wade was on our team.

“Tonight as you make your final appearance at Madison Square Garden, the last time you and I are on the court together in a competitive mode, the Knicks, myself, our city would like to salute you on a great career.”

Fizdale and Wade came up together, Wade as a player and Fizdale as a rising star in the coaching ranks. The two were together through the LeBron James-era in Miami. It’s clear that Fizdale has sincere respect and admiration for what Wade has accomplished over his career.

The MSG crowd has always appreciated Wade for his competitive fire and they made sure to shower him with love during his final appearance.